Women's suicide rates in England are at their highest for a decade - but men are three times more likely to kill themselves.

The figures from the Office of National Statistics show there were 1,181 female suicides in 2014 - a 14% increase from the year before and the highest rate since 2005.

Experts said the new figures are of "concern", but warned men are still most at risk.

Samaritans chief executive Ruth Sutherland said: "It is of great concern to see an indication of an increase in female suicide.

"Samaritans' goal is that fewer people die by suicide and these figures help us to be more targeted in our work and reinforce the need for all agencies, the police, prisons, schools and NHS to work together to reduce death by suicide."

Struggling: Samaritans have said the figures are a "concern" (Image: PA)

In contrast, there has been a slight fall in the UK-wide male suicide rates, however it remains the biggest killer of men under 50.

Ms Sutherland said: "It is a huge problem. Suicide is not inevitable, it is preventable, and if one part of the population is dying two or three times higher than the other part, then we are failing in the prevention."

Middle-aged men, particularly those from poorer backgrounds, are the most likely to kill themselves.

They are less likely to ask for help, and can keenly feel the strains of living up to their "masculine role" of breadwinner, experts say.

Shocking: Men are still three times more likely to kill themselves (Image: Getty)

Ms Sutherland said: "Men and women start on the journey of suicide in the same place - it is a reaction to emotional distress .

"I think in that journey towards suicide lots of things can happen, and if there can be an intervention either of a human being or even sometimes a physical barrier, you can prevent that.

"Women are more likely to either seek an intervention or receive an intervention, because they have got social networks, they are more likely to talk. Whereas often with a man they don't tell anybody, and there is no interruption in that journey towards it."

If you are having suicidal thoughts, you can call Samaritans on 116 123.